just shoot doesn't have to be a 3d target! Work on repeatable form, grip, aiming follow through etc, etc. Hit where your aiming, and same thing will translate to hunting- minus the buck fever. If you "need" a deer target I'm sure you can order a premade cardboard/paper one depicting vitals etc for cheap. Like this one below







Cardboard Deer
$6.99
Material: Cardboard
Dimensions: 22″x47″
70371
In stock

 

Thanks! Makes me feel a lot better

 

Another tip would be to practice shooting from where you will likely be hunting such as from your stand, blind, saddle, etc. Shoot at whatever target you have, but try to get used to shooting from different angles and distances.

 

any 3D target is not going to be a good example of an actual deer and the kill shot area is also not accurate.
Just shoot a conventional archery target and practice hitting what your aiming at.

 

I spent a summer learning my extreme distances for xbow and regularly practice 75 to 100yd and that 86yd 8pt was a sweet tasting victory all year long. Practice at hitting a bottlescap at any distance and every angle in a shooting foam board and I guarantee you will shoot the best in your life. Unless you try to empty the bottles as you need the caps ! Hic*

 

It's true the markings on the 3D deer are in the wrong spot and very wrong if you shoot them at angles but that's not how you use one for practice IMO. You shoot for the exit just like a real deer.

It's the best way but I get the budget OP. The three things you are trying to accomplish IMO is 1) to be able to judge distances. 2) to be able to aim at a target with no spots on it. 3) know where to aim on a live critter like a deer or elk or bear or hog etc for the right angle shot. Or again a target with no white diamond on it.........lol

Those are the three things you want to get use to so a paper target will work it's just not quite as realistic. Move around it or make it movable and get use to shooting unknown distances. Sight the bow in and verify it's on and then spend the time shooting unknown not standing at 20 30 40 60 etc etc.......

Shoot the target at angles picturing where you would need to hit the target for a proper shot angle not just all broadside. That's a little harder to visualize with a flat paper target but it's still better than shoot a Block target or bag target all the time.

Last go shot some 3D's they are cheap and it's the most realistic way to practice for hunting. Just be careful and don't get sucked into the competition side to hard. These days 3D has become it's own sport and the winners many times aren't using anything like a hunting rig or they do try to hunt with a rig better suited for 3D.........so just take you bow as is and use it for practice and don't get caught up into where you placed. Just use the targets like live animals and shot through with a friend. Heck many times I made my own shots up..........lol.

Your score will stink because you don't shoot the animals like they want you to score well but it's great practice for a hunter that has no 3D target. Just don't turn the score card in because it's not right anyway........I got to the point I never used it.

 

Thank you for the thought out reply, I'll get those tips in mind as I keep practicing

 

Good ideas already offered. You can also practice from a seated position as well as standing. OR turn your body left and right while standing or sitting. Deer are rarely standing still straight out in front of you.

 

Every time I see a big cardboard box, I think "There are several good targets right there". Even though I have several 3D targets I've obtained over many years, I don't get them out until late summer to spare them a bunch of wear and tear. During the winter, I attach hand cut turkey faces to a Morrell bag target wit a couple roofing nails and shoot indoors. Spring and summer, I do the same with a large foam block in the backyard.

They don't have to be fancy or artistic....most of my deer cardboard silhouettes don't even have heads to maximize material. What you are doing with a more realistic target is getting away from looking at circles or for circles on a target face. It trains a bowhunter to "pick a spot" on a fairly large surface.....and hone your focus.

 

Just like any other practice, shoot as small dot you can. 😇

 

Practice shooting from elevated position and or from a ground blind

 

Knowing the Vital anatomy in a 3 D fashion & the bone structure around the vitals is enough if your imagination is sufficient. Imagination and shooting dots is enough for me. Most of my anatomy education came from breaking deer down after a kill for table fair in my early years.

If you choose your data carefully. Understanding the anatomy can be acquired by observing the anatomy in a documented fashion.

 

Anyone wonder how we practiced before 3D and cardboard targets?

 

On cardboard target's that were colored and looked real. Then the match numbers exploded when the 3D targets came out because they were so much more fun. You sure don't need them but if you want the best practice you can get then you want one.

Also bows didn't have as much energy back then you could walk through the woods and shoot trash and stuff with judo points.

Heck you can get a cheap one for much less than people pay for some sights..............lol And that practice will help you as a bowhunter a lot more than a $300 will vs a $90 sight. Priorities.........

 

There is a new target made by a bowhunter out west that is really innovative.. Ethikillhunting

.com that has the exact anatomical structures visible. Best paper targets I’ve seen for bowhunters. Word has it, targets for other species in the works.

 

I've made my own cardboard cutouts before I had 3D targets, and I've used the pre-made cardboard targets like shown above that I bought cheap from a sporting goods store. The downside to those is that they are not life-size. That's one thing that bugs me about some of the 3D targets like the 1/3 scale Elk/Moose that Rinehart has. It doesn't help you with range estimation because they are much smaller than in real life.

I like my Bigshot doe target because it's a realistic looking, lifesize representation of the deer in my area. I don't shoot it for the scoring rings, I shoot it for a kill at whatever angle I choose to shoot from. It was a good investment, IMO.

 

Dang dat turkey got 3 beards!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Like others are saying, just practicing shooting. Any time behind the big will help you out in the woods. If you have the time and space/spot, practice shooting from your stand, ground blind or however you will he hunting. Lastly, have fun!

 

Thanks!

 

Shouldn’t matter as long as you know where vitals are. Whether a 3d buck or a block target they are the same. A plate size area to aim for. Simple. The real thing to work on is buck fever. Moments of truth are the hardest to get accustomed to.

 

What is the best way you know to practice for a whitetail hunt without using a 3D target?

I practice shooting from my treestand at least once for an hour or so before the season. That helps me the most. Other than that I just practice shooting at any targets that are available year round. I shoot at an Archery club and a bow shop w a range. And there are affordable target bags w vitals on them if you want to practice where to hit them.

 

Just get a pile of your Girlfriend or Wife's clothes and stuff them in a corn sack. They will stop most field point arrows. Just make sure you deny everything.

 

Might only require a shirt or two and a couple pair of old undies. She may never notice lol. I say go for the girlfriends clothes since you have to live with your wife.

 

For me, aiming at a dot on a target is much different than aiming at an animal. I don't see many deer in the woods with bullseyes on their vitals.

Whatever you can do to replicate that sight picture will help you on a real hunting shot.

 

For me, aiming at a dot on a target is much different than aiming at an animal. I don't see many deer in the woods with bullseyes on their vitals.

Whatever you can do to replicate that sight picture will help you on a real hunting shot.

I shoot a lot with just a blank target. Pick a spot and shoot. Helps not having a dot to aim for like on an animal. Shoot sitting, standing, kneeling, and from elevated positions. Most important shoot a lot and often.

 

I’m in the camp of shooting the target you have. Hitting where you’re aiming is the goal. If you’re unsure of where to shoot a deer then read up! There are numerous articles, videos, and discussions on the topic.

 

Starting off with Ryan Kirbys print of the whitetail vitals may be of benefit.

 

Starting off with Ryan Kirbys print of the whitetail vitals may be of benefit.

The detail is amazing! Every hunter entering the woods should look at this!

 

Can always make an iron buck. You will get REALLY good

 

Or fall short on arrows.

 

Duramesh makes a 3D deer bag face target that holds up extremely well. Duramesh and American Whitetail also make photorealistic deer target faces on a durable material.

 

I have never shot at a 3D target, but then I don't aim for the heart on a live animal either. I am a lung shooter, and it has worked well for me. On angled shots, aim for the apposite side front leg, if you hit that leg, you will take out vitals. If on enough of an angle you will get liver and at least one lung (some guts just because of angle). On broadside shots, I aim just behind the front shoulder dead center. After you have done it a few times it becomes instinctive and you just shoot.
So I practice on a 4' x 4' target with blaze orange duct tape spots, deer don't have them that I have seen but it works.
Ches.

 

Everyone with excellent advice. Just learn by watching and reading where you need to hit the deer, and practice shooting so that you can hit that spot. 3D deer can be inaccurate anyways.

 

If Ryan were to put together a 3D target, I expect you would have a winner.